Sophomore pacing fillies stepped into the spotlight on Friday, June 5 at Maywood Park as a field of eight state-breds squared off in an $8,000 Filly Maywood Stake elimination.

The top seven finishers on Friday night will return next week where they will be joined by Lex in the $35,600 final.

After saving ground all the way to the top of the stretch, driver Travis Seekman tipped Southern Girl to the outside as the field straightened for the money and the Homer Hochstetler-trained miss exploded like she had been shot out of a cannon, blowing right by her rivals to win by a length in 1:57.2.

Content to save ground throughout the mile as Galley Wench (Todd Warren) and heavily favoured Sportsmuffler (Casey Leonard) battled through splits of :28.2, :58.3 and 1:27.1, Seekman appeared to be hopelessly locked in fifth as the field turned for home.

Craftily working their way to the center of the track, the daughter of Sportsmaster—Biloxi quickly kicked it into high gear picking off one rival after another in the blink of an eye to score for the fourth time in 10 starts this season. Angel Demon (Mike Oosting) came on late to finish second while Galley Wench held on for third.

Also gaining spots in the final with fourth through seventh-place finishes were Fox Valley Kit, Sportsmuffler, Duneside Perttie and I Y Q Too.

With the win, Southern Girl now boasts a record of four wins and one third in 10 starts with earnings of $15,097 in this her first season of action for owners Connie Hochstetler, Kristofer Heim and James Michels. The third choice in the wagering returned $14.40, $7.40 and $5.00.

(Maywood Park)